Sydney Opera House Access Program

Jenny Spinak, Accessibility Manager believes that the Sydney Opera House is here for everyone, as is the ballet.

"[The Australian Ballet Education program] is also dispelling that idea that these performing arts experiences are not for people of all abilities, so I think it's important to bring it to a wide audience, especially people who may never have had the opportunity to see the ballet or take a dance class,” Jenny says.

The program gave students the opportunity to engage with the program on multiple levels. Students were able to explore dance movement through the workshops and experience a performance by The Australian Ballet’s Dance Education team. The aim is always to give students the opportunity to explore the world of the ballet in a safe, creative and supported environment.

Penelope Earp, a teacher at Waiora Special needs school in Bondi highly valued the partnership between Sydney Opera House and The Australian Ballet, saying the program gives participants an opportunity to shine:

“[The Sydney Opera House] is iconic, there's something magical about it. Having it in a fantastic venue, that wasn't just a hall or a theatre, it is a spectacular building, it is spectacular to enter …

[For] those students who are non-communicative, [who] do not have expressive communication, it is a means of communicating yourself without needing to have language. So that is a major thing. It's so very accessible. And if nothing else, it's an experience. Particularly if you have a severe intellectual disability … it is hard to go out, it's hard to do things, so therefore you miss out on many experiences; your experiences might be limited to home and school.”

From Jenny’s point of view, providing arts-based programs to people with special-education needs is about opening possibilities.

“I think that's really important because exposure to the arts and first-rate arts experiences break down barriers … they can be universally appreciated … It opens up possibilities for people …. it touches and moves people. I think it's something that also improves your quality of life, your feeling of connection to your community, broadens your horizons, and I think it cuts across disability (and) ability.”